Director/Associate Director – Socio-Economic Services Lead

Role Overview

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced individual to become the national lead on the Savills Economics’ team’s socio-economic services. This position covers our work assessing economic and social impacts of development and infrastructure, and includes: EIA socio-economic and human health chapters; social value; health impact assessment (HIA); equality impact assessment (EqIA); and social infrastructure needs assessment (including specialist education assessment).

This role and team are an important element of the Savills Economics team’s offer and much of the work is with Savills planning teams located across the UK. The role covers: technical analysis and review; management; co-ordination; internal and external marketing; and service development.

The position can be covered from one of our existing Savills Economics offices in London, Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol or Cardiff.

Key Responsibilities

Responsible for the Economics team’s socio-economic work stream
Direct a range of socio-economic projects, including social and education infrastructure needs assessments
Technical review reports and deliverables
Presenting work at appeals, Development Consent Orders (DCOs) and examinations in public (EIPs).
Manage large projects where appropriate
Undertake research and analysis where appropriate
Lead on/work with others on marketing, thought-leadership and bids to secure socio-economic related work. This covers internal and external clients.
Manage staff and organise relevant training
Ability to follow, interpret and exploit market conditions and the impact of government policies
Support the head of department and directors in building up the Economics team
Working with the head of department and directors to ensure the profitable performance of the team in line with agreed targets.

Key Skills

Excellent written and communication skills
Detail conscious, accurate
Team player to deliver an exceptional level of service to clients at all times
Numerical and analytic skills, including economic and social impact modelling expertise (usual in Excel)
Expertise in successfully managing projects and teams to budget and programme (essential).
Consultancy experience (strongly desirable)
A good knowledge of the UK planning system
Experience of presenting cases at appeals and examinations (desirable)
A degree in town planning, geography, property surveying, economics, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience
An MSc/MBA/equivalent qualification in a relevant field (desirable), or overall equivalent experience.
Communicate and negotiate effectively with clients and colleagues
Effective financial management of projects to ensure profitable delivery.

Team Overview

The Savills Economics team has established a reputation as one of the leading players in the UK covering property and economic and social analysis and research. The team draws upon and works with other teams in Savills, including planning, development, research and sustainability. The team sits within the Savills Planning Division, which is one of the largest planning consultancies in the UK.